MTMC works with Transcom on 2001 Congressionals - Military Traffic Management Command - Brief Article

Translog: Journal of Military Transportation Management, March-April, 2001

Leesha Galery had only been on the job a few weeks when she faced one of her first challenges as the Military Traffic Management Command's new legislative liaison.

The U.S. Transportation Command legislative liaisons called with a time-sensitive request: Could Galery arrange a meeting with key MTMC operatives?

She responded at once.

Five working days later, Galery found herself running a meeting with top TRANSCOM legislative staffers.

Their goal?

"They wanted an update on any ongoing issues that could affect the organizations within the next year," said Galery.

The TRANSCOM .delegation included Mimi Iacono and Lt. Col. Kurt Miller, both legislative affairs specialists.

Galery arranged for several top MTMC staffers to brief the visitors on key congressional issues: Container Management and Task Force Fix.

A briefing on Department of Defense containers was conducted by Karen Chin, of the Joint Traffic Management Office. MTMC manages more than 10,000 containers for contingency and ammunition moves.

Chin discussed the Intermodal Equipment Branch's container study and the feasibility of outsourcing.

"I was able to provide answers right on the spot," said Chin. "This meeting was very constructive and a productive way to support the legislative affairs staff."

"The medium is not the message--the message is in the text" said Chin.

Changes to the existing personal property moving program through Task Force Fix were briefed by Dinah Locklear, Chief, Personal Property/ Reengineering Division.

"I enjoyed the chance to participate" said Locklear. "This kind of communication enhances our relationship with the U.S. Transportation Command."

"The informal gathering created an "out-of-the-box" atmosphere going directly to the key issues."

Galery said she was pleased at the meeting results.

"This is really a door that is opening for the Military Traffic Management Command and U.S. Transportation Command," she said.